(1) “Wherefore, my brethren beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my beloved. (2) “I exhort Euodia, and I exhort Syntyche, to be of the same mind in the Lord. (3) Yea, I beseech thee also, true yokefellow, help these women, for they labored with me in the Gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow-workers, whose names are in the book of life. (4) “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. (5) Let your forbearance be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. (6) In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (7) And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus. (8) “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (9) The things which ye both learned and received and heard and saw in me, these things do; and the God of peace shall be with you. (10) “But I rejoice in the Lord greatly, that now at length ye have revived your thought for me; wherein ye did indeed take thought, but ye lacked opportunity. (11) Not that I speak in respect of want; for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therein to be content. (12) I know how to be abased, and I know also how to abound; in everything and in all things have I learned the secret both to be filled and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in want. (13) I can do all things in Him that strengtheneth me.”
Golden Text.—“Rejoice in the Lord alway.” Verse 4.
SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.
(1) How does the apostle address the church at Philippi? What exhortation does he give them? Verse 1. Note 1. (2) What women does he mention? What special counsel does he give for them? Verse 2. Note 2. (3) What does the apostle ask in behalf of these women? Why? What does he say of certain fellow-laborers? Verse 3. Note 3. (4) What general advice is given because of this? Verse 4. Note 4. (5) How should forbearance be manifested? What encouraging assurance is given? Verse 5. Note 5. (6) What is said about anxiety? How should requests be made to God? Verse 6. (7) What precious promise is added? Verse 7. Note 6. (8) What exhortation is given in regard to meditation? Verse 8. (9) What example is held up to the brethren? And what further promise? Verse 9. Note 7. (10) In what does the apostle himself rejoice? What only had they lacked in this matter? Verse 10. (11) What lesson had the apostle learned? Verse 11. Note 8. (12) How is this statement emphasized? Verse 12. (13) What does Paul say of the source of his strength? Verse 13. Note 9.
NOTES.
1. “Wherefore,” showing that what follows is predicated on that which precedes. The previous chapter (verse 20) states that our citizenship is in heaven, and that the Saviour for whom we look, is able to subdue all things to Himself (verse 21). But back through this the exhortations of this lesson are in view of all that Paul had taught in all the previous part of the epistle.
“My joy and crown.” Paul had a special attachment to this church, because of their hospitality and their sacrifice for the cause. See verses 15 and 16 of lesson chapter.
2. “Of the same mind in the Lord.”—See also Ch. 2: 5-11.
3. “Help those women.”—Euodia and Syntyche had evidently been valuable helpers in the work; for this reason Paul was anxious that there should be harmony between them. So if they should be of the same mind in the Lord, they would have minds harmonious with each other. “Yokefellow.”—The original is a proper name, Syzygus, meaning yokefellow. He was probably an elder of the church, and the one to whom the letter was sent.
4. Christians should be the most joyful of all people, because of the hope set before them. The only source of true joy is open before them, and is accessible through faith.
5. “Forbearance,” is made known unto all men by being manifested in the daily life. One authority says, “The idea is, ‘Do not make a rigorous and obstinate stand for what is your just due.’”
6. “The peace of God” is obtained through justification by faith (Rom. 5:1) in the sacrifice of Christ. The conception of the plan of salvation is beyond human understanding; for it is based on “the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge,” Eph. 3:19.
7. Example.—“Knowing how much more telling example often is than precept, the apostle points to his own teaching and life as they had known them. At first they had been scholars learning from him; after that they became fellow-workers and brethren, so that they were daily witnesses of his words and works, and to these he refers them as a practical example.”—Schaff.
8. The lesson of contentment is a most important one; for “godliness with contentment is great gain.” 1 Tim. 6:6.
9. The Source of Power.—Paul took no glory to himself, not even the credit of being content. The source of his contentment, as of every other Christian virtue, was Christ. “The word ‘do’ is scarcely comprehensive enough to suggest the full sense of Paul’s words. Rather, I am equal to all things—am strong for all things—through Christ who gives to me all strength. It covers not doing only, but suffering as well; anything the Lord’s providence may permit to come upon him.”—Cowles.
